Swimming foot paddle



Sept 2' 1924. 1,506,88

SWIMMING FOOT PADDLE ,Filod ll 6, 24

I 16 E TOR fi T ORNE 7 Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED ANDREW cE oH,

OFINILES, OHIO.

-' SWIMMING FOOTVPADVDLEV. v L

Application filed May 6',

1 To all whom it may concern:

Be it known .that I, ANDREW Ciao -citi zen of the United States, residing at Niles, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and use-" ful Improvements in. Swimming Foot Paddles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to apphances for use by swimmers to enable the latter to propel themselves at increased.

speed through the water, the inventionjhaving particular reference to a device of this sort adapted to be'applied to the feet of the swimmer and which I therefore term a swimmers foot paddle.

The invention has for an object the provision of a novel and simple device of this sort which can be readily applied to and re moved from the foot, and which has incorporated therewith means for varying the resistance it offers to the backward thrust of the foot of the user.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

- Fig. 1 of the drawing is a plan view showing my improved foot paddle.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a side view. V.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 2.

Fi 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5+5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing a slightly modified form of the paddle.

Referring now to the drawing, my improved foot paddle comprises a central board 10 of a dimension slightly greater than that of the foot of the user and which has fixed thereon a moccasin 11 which re ceives the foot of theuser, a strap 12 being here shown as secured to the board and adapted to be buckled over the users foot. Hinged to the central board, as by the pairs of hinges 15 are the side wings or flaps 16 which are arranged to swing backwardly to positions at right angles to the board when the device is drawn forward through the water, and which tend to straighten out 1924. SeriaI'No. 711,323;

when the swimmer thrusts his foot backl ward.

I preferably provide adjustable means to";

limit the said straightening out movement of the wings 16. As here shown a pair of straps 17 are employed and are attached atone end to the respective wings on the rear sides thereof, and pass rearwardly over theabutment posts 18 which are hinged at their-forward ends asat 19 to theisidesof the board ,10, the other ends of these straps being fastened to the said central board 10.

Adjacent their last named ends'these straps 17 pass throughl'the slotted heads '20. of screws 21 which pass freely through ears 22 on the underside of the board and have nuts 23 threaded on their opposite ends, the screws 21. extending "transversely. of the board and being engaged with the straps 17 in a manner to tighten the latter, that is to shorten their effective length, when the nuts 23 are turned to move the-screws outwardly.

The posts 18 are formed at their free ends with rectangular apertures such as 25 'through'which the straps 17 pass, blocks such'as 26- being slidable along these apertures and being adaptedito be engaged by screws such as 27 to clamp the straps be tween the blocks and the front walls of the said apertures. As willv be apparent the spread of the wings may be'varied by tightening or loosening the straps 17.

In the construction shown in Fig. 6 the central board 10 is narrowed at the rear end to conform; to the shape of the ,swimmers foot, while the side wings 16 are correspondingly shaped. A handle 30 ishere shown as attached to the front end of the central board provided with means for attachment to the foot, and side wings hinged to said central board, straps attached at one end to said wings and at opposite ends to the central board: ton limiting; the; fpryva al swinging movement of thetwrings, andiahnteinent elements hinged to and projecting,

v rearwardly from said central boagfl, @1151,

having the straps passing thereover.

3. A swimmers foot paddle c ornprising,a central board provided with means for attachment to the foot, andgside \v ingsdiinged g to said central board, straps attachedat one end to said wingslandz at: opposite endstoi the central board for limiting the forwnrd'i itingingmomment; of'stheiwin s, and abutment elementshinged 9" and projecting, rearwandlyfrom said central boat dz and; l'zavingl. the straps passing. thereoner, anch means: engaged with said-1 strapssto-tvery the. effectivelengththereqf? 4. A SWiIDHiQIZSiQO'Eg paddle; compri ing ar 90 ntral. board: provided; with means, for at taclimentrto. the, feet; andzside.wingsahinged to. said central hoard; strapssattacheiiliat one; Q1169; to. saidfl wings and: at opposite ends}; to] the central beard-2 for, limiting the; forward:

swinging movement of the Wings, and abutn ent elqments hinged tmandaprejeet-ing re armandiy from said central hoardi and having the straps passing thereover, and means engagged witlnsaid straps to vary the effective length thereof; comprising screws mount- 0 ed qn saidneentral board for transverse adjustment thereon and having slotted heads f thrpnglnWl1ih1 l1esaid heads pass.

5. A swimmers foot paddle comprising a central board provided with means for a-ttacllmentzto theiootg and'isidenvings hinged torsaid eentrahhoard; 1 strapsattached at one:- end to saidiwingstandi at opposite-ends to the centrals boa-rd? fer-, limiting-=- the forward swingingnnovement; of: the wings, and! abuts. 40 nient .elementsshingedito andiprojeetingirean \vardly from said central board andhavi-ngr the\straps passing tliersm'er; and; means. for releasably, securing;- the; said-i straps te-- the saidgabatinent elements;

In; testimony. whereof: I have; afii-ixenli my,

signature AQTRDREQlM "GECH- 

